Hearts have had the good, the bad and the indifferent when it comes to managerial appointments over the years.
The modern football world rarely throws up lengthy managerial stints these days and chucking Vladimir Romanov into that mix at Hearts in the 2000s and 2010s was never a recipe for longevity. But Hearts have found stability in recent seasons since returning to the Premiership from Championship territory and have confirmed their third season with European football on the spin.
Steven Naismith is currently winning plaudits for his job in the hotseat ahead of Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final with Rangers, but how did the 12 before him get on and where are they now? Here are the last 12 men before Naismith to have managed Hearts, not including gaffers twice if they have had more than one stint, and caretakers are also omitted.
1. Neil Critchley (October 24 - April 25)
Now in the former manager camp. Picked up results after Naismith's exit but lack of a statement victory plus bottom six football ends his reign after just six months. | SNS Group
2. Steven Naismith (June 23 - September 24)
The most recent man at the helm. Appointed as technical director in June 2023 after an interim manager spell then his role changed to head coach in September last year. A 2-1 defeat to St Mirren ended his tenure. | SNS Group
3. Robbie Neilson (May 14 - December 16 and June 20 - April 23)
Neilson moved to America with Tampa Bay Rowdies, his first job since departing Hearts. Brought European group stage football to Gorgie in his second spell and won the Championship during both stints at the helm. Left in April 2023 and was recently sacked by Rowdies. Photo: Mark Scates - SNS Group
4. Daniel Stendel (December 19 - June 20)
The German was eventually given the Hearts job after leading Barnsley up to the Championship the previous season before being sacked. He left at the end of a season cut short by the coronavirus pandemic when Hearts were relegated. Stendel has since managed AS Nancy in French Ligue 2 and is currently in charge of the Hannover 96 reserve team in Germany Photo: Lewis Storey